Raiders defenceman David Oliver (Tim Bowers)

Silverware hopes in the balance

Jason Buckman equalled a Romford Raiders club record last weekend

Romford Raiders face a crunch double date with Invicta Dynamos as they look to keep their hopes of silverware alive this weekend.

The sides meet in a cup tie at Rom Valley Way tomorrow (Saturday, 5.15pm), with Romford looking to avenge an away defeat to claim a place in the final.

And the two will then battle it out in Gillingham on Sunday, as Raiders aim to keep the defence of their National League title alive.

Defenceman David Oliver said: “They’re both big games and everyone in our team wants to play in every game.

“Every league game is a must win for us now, but we also want to try and progress in the cup. I think Sunday at Invicta will be the hardest away game we’ve got left.

“We have to just keep taking everything step by step, there’s no point looking too far forward.

“We want to win the cup game on Saturday, but the league game on Sunday is vital if we’re going to keep the pressure on Chelmsford.”

*Jason Buckman equalled a Romford Raiders club record in their National League cup win over Peterborough last weekend.

Buckman, who celebrates his 34th birthday today, claimed six assists in the 11-1 win over his home-town club, matching the best-ever haul by a defenceman.

Canadian imports Rob Stewart and Reid Williams are the only other blueliners to claim six assists in one match.